Template - Date: UK Open Qualifier 2

SIMON WHITLOCK took victory in the year’s second Coral UK Open Qualifier with a 6-4 defeat of Gary Anderson in Saturday’s final in Wigan.

Australian star Whitlock backed up his two Players Championship victories in the latter stages of 2016 with a promising start to 2017 as he scooped the £10,000 first prize in the second of six UK Open Qualifiers.

The former European Champion is now assured of a top 32 spot for March’s Coral UK Open Finals at the Butlins Minehead Resort following a superb display at the Robin Park Tennis Centre.